Associate/Full Professor

Data-Driven Science Cluster

As one of the leading land-grant institutions in the nation, North Carolina State University is proud to announce its Chancellor’s Faculty Excellence Program, a cluster hire program that marks the first major initiative of the university’s 2011-2020 strategic plan “The Pathway to the Future.” Starting in 2012, NC State will hire thirty-eight faculty members across twelve research areas, or “clusters”, to promote interdisciplinary scholarship and the development of innovative curriculum in emerging areas of strategic strength.

The research cluster in Data-Driven Science is seeking four outstanding candidates and invites all nationally recognized scholars conducting high-impact research and education in this area to apply. While being flexible and open to any strong candidates in this research focus, there is particular interest in growing NC State’s expertise in the following four areas:

  1. Applied Discrete Mathematics: This position would be the most theoretical element in the cluster, though still very much motivated by applications like analyzing sensor network coverage, effectively modeling the internet, social networks, analyzing massive data sets, etc. The focus is on graph theory related to random graphs,computational topology/geometry or closely related topics.
  1. Statistical Data Mining: This position would be in the general area of analytics and data mining. This area includes methods for the extraction of data features that distinguish classes (defaulters vs. nondefaulters, spam vs. good mail, etc.) or predict a target like profit, methods for relating these features to a target through flexible models, methods for validity checks of those models and methods for finding associations and clusters in data.
  1. Text Analytics: This position focuses on text analytics with a potential hire in natural language processing, spoken language systems, information retrieval, word sense disambiguation, language understanding or machine learning.
  1. High Performance Data Systems: This position focuses on research of new methods for storing, manipulating and accessing large-scale data sets. We expect this faculty member to apply skills and knowledge to cloud computing,multi-core hybrid systems and accelerators, resilience of algorithms and large systems, service-oriented architectures,storage technologies, metadata and provenance management.

While our goal is to hire strong candidates at the Associate or Full Professor levels, exceptional Assistant Professors with strong research and funding records will also be considered. Anticipated home departments are primarily Computer Science, Mathematics or Statistics with potential for joint appointments in other departments. Because these four hires are part of an interdisciplinary cluster-hiring program, it is expected that they form a robust collaborative research core that attracts existing faculty with strong skills in complementary areas. Faculty have the potential to become involved in several national research institutes like the ground-breaking Institute for Advanced Analytics (IAA). With Research Triangle Park (RTP) having a cluster economy in analytics, each candidate will also have the opportunity to interact regularly with nationally known leading companies in this important new area.

Successful candidates will be expected to develop a vigorous externally funded research program, demonstrate a commitment to excellence in teaching and foster collaborations between departments. The candidate should have an earned doctorate in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics or other related field and preferably at least three years of experience conducting high-impact research in a university, private sector, government or non-profit organization. Priority will be given to candidates that have demonstrated a passion for interdisciplinary collaborations that cut across academic units. Successful candidates will be recognized as a pioneering leader in the development of new approaches for large-scale data-enabled sciences and have experience in initiating, growing and managing research efforts and a record of established extramural funding. The candidate should have a strong capacity to teach at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, including the capacity to mentor doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows. Preference will be given to dynamic individuals with demonstrated leadership skills that have a clear vision for practical problems in large-scale analytics and the technical skills to develop advanced solutions.

About North Carolina State University

Founded in 1887, NC State University is a land-grant institution distinguished by its exceptional quality of research, teaching, extension, and public service. It is the largest university in the state, with more than 34,000 students and 8,000 faculty and staff. NC State is one of two research-extensive institutions in the 17-campus University of North Carolina system. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as one of only 31 universities nationwide with both “very high” research activity and notable community engagement. NC State consistently ranks among the nation’s top public universities and best higher-education values. Its historic strengths in science and technology are supported by its commitment to excellence in a comprehensive range of fields, and its research strength is complemented by its extensive community engagement. Distinguished faculty includes members of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Medicine, and fellows in a large number of professional associations.

NC State is organized into 10 colleges that offer baccalaureate degrees in more than 110 fields, master’s degrees in over 100 fields, and doctoral degrees in 61. The University has 60+ interdisciplinary research centers across a comprehensive array of disciplines. The University is ranked seventh in industry-funded research and third in total state and local research among national research universities. The continuing growth of research is a high priority.

NC State’s campuses in Raleigh include the Centennial Campus, a visionary academic enterprise and internationally recognized partnership model for university and industry research and collaboration. NC State anchors the Research Triangle region, home to many of the country’s leading Fortune 500 technology, research, and pharmaceutical companies, as well as other fine universities with whom we share uniquely collaborative relationships.

Raleigh and The Community

National rankings consistently rate Raleigh and its surrounding region among the five best places in the country to live and work, with a highly educated workforce, moderate weather, reasonable cost of living, and a welcoming environment. The capitol of North Carolina, Raleigh is situated in the Piedmont section of the state, with the Atlantic Ocean two hours to the east and the Blue Ridge Mountains three hours to the west.

Raleigh is the second-largest city in North Carolina, with more than 380,000 residents. A collaborative, supportive environment for business and innovation and research collaborations with area universities and the Research Triangle Park (RTP) are compelling reasons for relocation to the area.

The Application Process

Applications must be made on-line at (position number:00102644). Required attachments should include a cover letter, curriculum vita, contact information for three references and a one-page statement outlining your vision for research and integration into the cluster. Review of applications will begin October 1, 2012 and will continue until the position is filled. A start date of August 1, 2013 or earlier is anticipated.

Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (919) 515-3148. Applications, nominations and requests for additional information should be addressed to the Chair of Search Committee, Randy Avent, at .

Additional information can be found at:

NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability. In addition, NC State University welcomes all persons without regard to sexual orientation. We welcome the opportunity to work with candidates to identify suitable employment opportunities for spouses or partners.